What are some effective tobacco cessation initiatives to incorporate into the workplace?
Provide effective communications about the tobacco-free policy, and support those efforts with additional information on the benefits of quitting. Incentives help employees make the decision to stick with it, as does peer support (not peer pressure — nagging doesn’t work). Smoking cessation is just one opportunity to create a culture of health in the workplace. Other methods to improve employee health include:
- Promoting early detection of chronic disease through preventive care, encouraging physical activity and stress management, and educating employees on the benefits of healthy nutrition and dietary habits.
- Offering a well-rounded wellness program, including activities and programs that support healthy habits such as a ‘Biggest Loser’ competition, a walking program or hosting a nutritionist or registered dietician.
- Utilizing community resources for speakers, support groups and quit line coaches.
- Using new or unconventional resources. iPhone users have access to the ‘My QuitLine’ app, which links users to the National Cancer Institute’s quit line service, where they can talk directly to a quit line coach or use the live text feature to get advice.
How can an employer kick off the program at the workplace?
November is the perfect time to consider implementing a tobacco-free program. The third Thursday in November is the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout. This is the prime time to show support for quitting tobacco use by providing ‘quit kits’ full of goodies such as LifeSavers (for when you need a helping hand), rubber bands (to put on your wrist to snap as a reminder not to smoke), peppermints (to keep your cool under pressure) and paperclips (to hold it together), among other everyday items.
How will this affect an employer’s bottom line?
Studies have proven that nonsmokers and employees who have effectively quit using tobacco products are more productive and have fewer absences than those who use tobacco. Employers who strategically address all sides of the tobacco-use issue empower their employees to quit and support success throughout a myriad of healthy opportunities. Keeping employees healthy through supporting preventive care visits, physical activity programs, tobacco-cessation initiatives, weight loss and healthy nutrition goals will positively affect an employer’s bottom line by increasing employee retention, reducing absenteeism and ‘presenteeism,’ increasing productivity, decreasing disability and lowering workers’ compensation claims over the long term.
GINNY HRIDEL is the product manager of health insurance and wellness programs for the Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE), one of Ohio’s largest small business support organizations. Reach her at [email protected] or (216) 592-2263. Composed of more than 17,000 members, COSE strives to help small businesses grow and maintain their independence. COSE has a long history of fighting for the rights of all small business owners, whether it’s through group purchasing programs for health care powered by Medical Mutual of Ohio, wellness programs designed specifically for small business, workers’ compensation or energy, advocating for specific changes in legislation or regulation, or providing a forum and resource for small businesses to connect with and learn from one another.